Flood report

[wiseheart]

The River Danube peaked at 681 centimetres last night. The lower quays of the capitol are still under water. Some villages can only be approached by boat. 11,000 buildings and 32,000 people are currently endangered, and the water is slow to go back. The water pressure is very high, at many places the sandbags are leaking. The government has spent 200 millions for flood defence (or whatever it is called in English) so far.

For Americans these numbers might not seem very high - you folks probably have more of this stuff in a single city. But we're a small country, so yes, comparatively, it is a lot.

Sometimes I'm almost ashamed that I live in a part of the city that is considerably safe. The Danube isn't very far from our place, but isn't close enough to endanger us directly. Not when it's "only" six and a half metres high.

Comments

[gone2thedogs.livejournal.com]

Any flood is dangerous, don't feel ashamed because you are out of harms way. I hope the water recedes quickly and the damage isn't too severe, you have such lovely old buildings in your city. Keeping all of you in my prayers.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, the historic buildings are all on the upper quays, so they are not threatened - not right now, that is. Some hundred and fifty years ago the Danube was so high that they stood more than a meter in the churches of the city center.